Polybius, Histories

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Book 2 - Chapter 61

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<w lemma="%2Axwri%2Fs">Χωρίς</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="%2Amantine%2Fwn">Μαντινέων</w> <w lemma="h%28mi%3Dn">ἡμῖν</w> <w lemma="sumfora%5Cs">συμφορὰς</w> <w lemma="met%27">μετ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29ch%2Fsews">αὐξήσεως</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="diaqe%2Fsews">διαθέσεως</w> <w lemma="e%29chgh%2Fsato">ἐξηγήσατο</w>, <w lemma="dh%3Dlon">δῆλον</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fti">ὅτι</w> <w lemma="kaqh%2Fkein">καθήκειν</w> <w lemma="u%28polamba%2Fnwn">ὑπολαμβάνων</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="suggrafeu%3Dsi">συγγραφεῦσι</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="parano%2Fmous">παρανόμους</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fcewn">πράξεων</w> <w lemma="e%29pishmai%2Fnesqai">ἐπισημαίνεσθαι</w>,
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<w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Amegalopolitw%3Dn">Μεγαλοπολιτῶν</w> <w lemma="gennaio%2Fthtos">γενναιότητος</w>, <w lemma="h%28%3D%7C">ᾗ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29xrh%2Fsanto">ἐχρήσαντο</w> <w lemma="kairou%2Fs">καιρούς</w>, <w lemma="ou%29de%5C">οὐδὲ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="poso%5Cn">ποσὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29poih%2Fsato">ἐποιήσατο</w> <w lemma="mnh%2Fmhn">μνήμην</w>,
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<w lemma="w%28%2Fsper">ὥσπερ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="a%28marti%2Fas">ἁμαρτίας</w> <w lemma="e%29cariqmei%3Dsqai">ἐξαριθμεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="praca%2Fntwn">πραξάντων</w> <w lemma="oi%29keio%2Fteron">οἰκειότερον</w> <w lemma="u%28pa%2Frxon">ὑπάρχον</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="i%28stori%2Fas">ἱστορίας</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="kala%5C">καλὰ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="di%2Fkaia">δίκαια</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Frgwn">ἔργων</w> <w lemma="e%29pishmai%2Fnesqai">ἐπισημαίνεσθαι</w>, <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29ntugxa%2Fnontas">ἐντυγχάνοντας</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="u%28pomnh%2Fmasin">ὑπομνήμασιν</w> <w lemma="h%28%3Dtto%2Fn">ἧττόν</w> <w lemma="ti">τι</w> <w lemma="diorqoume%2Fnous">διορθουμένους</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="spoudai%2Fwn">σπουδαίων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="zhlwtw%3Dn">ζηλωτῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Frgwn">ἔργων</w> <w lemma="h%29%2Fper">ἤπερ</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="parano%2Fmwn">παρανόμων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="feuktw%3Dn">φευκτῶν</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fcewn">πράξεων</w>.
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<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="pw%3Ds">πῶς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Flabe">ἔλαβε</w> <w lemma="%2Akleome%2Fnhs">Κλεομένης</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="po%2Flin">πόλιν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pw%3Ds">πῶς</w> <w lemma="a%29ke%2Fraion">ἀκέραιον</w> <w lemma="diafula%2Fcas">διαφυλάξας</w> <w lemma="e%29cape%2Fsteile">ἐξαπέστειλε</w> <w lemma="paraxrh%3Dma">παραχρῆμα</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Amegalopoli%2Ftas">Μεγαλοπολίτας</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Amessh%2Fnhn">Μεσσήνην</w> <w lemma="grammatofo%2Frous">γραμματοφόρους</w>, <w lemma="a%29ciw%3Dn">ἀξιῶν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29blabh%3D">ἀβλαβῆ</w> <w lemma="komisame%2Fnous">κομισαμένους</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%28autw%3Dn">ἑαυτῶν</w> <w lemma="patri%2Fda">πατρίδα</w> <w lemma="koinwnh%3Dsai">κοινωνῆσαι</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="i%29di%2Fwn">ἰδίων</w> <w lemma="pragma%2Ftwn">πραγμάτων</w>, <w lemma="tau%3Dta">ταῦτα</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="h%28mi%3Dn">ἡμῖν</w> <w lemma="e%29dh%2Flwse">ἐδήλωσε</w>, <w lemma="boulo%2Fmenos">βουλόμενος</w> <w lemma="u%28podei%3Dcai">ὑποδεῖξαι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Akleome%2Fnous">Κλεομένους</w> <w lemma="megaloyuxi%2Fan">μεγαλοψυχίαν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="metrio%2Fthta">μετριότητα</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="polemi%2Fous">πολεμίους</w>.
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<w lemma="e%29%2Fti">ἔτι</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="pw%3Ds">πῶς</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="%2Amegalopoli%3Dtai">Μεγαλοπολῖται</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29pistolh%3Ds">ἐπιστολῆς</w> <w lemma="a%29naginwskome%2Fnhs">ἀναγινωσκομένης</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="e%29a%2Fsaien">ἐάσαιεν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="te%2Flos">τέλος</w> <w lemma="a%29nagnwsqh%3Dnai">ἀναγνωσθῆναι</w>, <w lemma="mikrou%3D">μικροῦ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kataleu%2Fsaien">καταλεύσαιεν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="grammatofo%2Frous">γραμματοφόρους</w>, <w lemma="e%28%2Fws">ἕως</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftou">τούτου</w> <w lemma="diesa%2Ffhse">διεσάφησε</w>. <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29ko%2Flouqon">ἀκόλουθον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="i%28stori%2Fas">ἱστορίας</w> <w lemma="i%29%2Fdion">ἴδιον</w> <w lemma="a%29fei%3Dlen">ἀφεῖλεν</w>,
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<w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fpainon">ἔπαινον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29p%27">ἐπ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29gaqw%3D%7C">ἀγαθῷ</w> <w lemma="mnh%2Fmhn">μνήμην</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29ciolo%2Fgwn">ἀξιολόγων</w> <w lemma="proaire%2Fsewn">προαιρέσεων</w>.
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<w lemma="kai%2Ftoi">καίτοι</w> <w lemma="g%27">γ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29mpodw%5Cn">ἐμποδὼν</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w>. <w lemma="ei%29">εἰ</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="lo%2Fgw%7C">λόγῳ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="do%2Fgmati">δόγματι</w> <w lemma="mo%2Fnon">μόνον</w> <w lemma="u%28pomei%2Fnantas">ὑπομείναντας</w> <w lemma="po%2Flemon">πόλεμον</w> <w lemma="u%28pe%5Cr">ὑπὲρ</w> <w lemma="fi%2Flwn">φίλων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="summa%2Fxwn">συμμάχων</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fndras">ἄνδρας</w> <w lemma="a%29gaqou%5Cs">ἀγαθοὺς</w> <w lemma="nomi%2Fzomen">νομίζομεν</w>, <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fras">χώρας</w> <w lemma="katafqora%5Cn">καταφθορὰν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="poliorki%2Fan">πολιορκίαν</w> <w lemma="a%29nadecame%2Fnois">ἀναδεξαμένοις</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="mo%2Fnon">μόνον</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fpainon">ἔπαινον</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="xa%2Fritas">χάριτας</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="dwrea%5Cs">δωρεὰς</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="megi%2Fstas">μεγίστας</w> <w lemma="a%29pone%2Fmomen">ἀπονέμομεν</w>,
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<w lemma="ti%2Fna">τίνα</w> <w lemma="ge">γε</w> <w lemma="xrh%5C">χρὴ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Amegalopolitw%3Dn">Μεγαλοπολιτῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxein">ἔχειν</w> <w lemma="dia%2Flhyin">διάληψιν</w>; <w lemma="a%29%3Dr%27">ἆρ᾽</w> <w lemma="ou%29xi%5C">οὐχὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="semnota%2Fthn">σεμνοτάτην</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="belti%2Fsthn">βελτίστην</w>;
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<w lemma="oi%28%5C">οἳ</w> <w lemma="prw%3Dton">πρῶτον</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fran">χώραν</w> <w lemma="%2Akleome%2Fnei">Κλεομένει</w> <w lemma="proei%3Dnto">προεῖντο</w>, <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tau%3Dta">ταῦτα</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="o%28losxerw%3Ds">ὁλοσχερῶς</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fptaisan">ἔπταισαν</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="patri%2Fdi">πατρίδι</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29axaiou%5Cs">Ἀχαιοὺς</w> <w lemma="ai%28%2Fresin">αἵρεσιν</w>,
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<w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="teleutai%3Don">τελευταῖον</w>, <w lemma="doqei%2Fshs">δοθείσης</w> <w lemma="a%29nelpi%2Fstws">ἀνελπίστως</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="parado%2Fcws">παραδόξως</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="e%29cousi%2Fas">ἐξουσίας</w> <w lemma="a%29blabh%3D">ἀβλαβῆ</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fthn">ταύτην</w> <w lemma="a%29polabei%3Dn">ἀπολαβεῖν</w>, <w lemma="proei%2Flanto">προείλαντο</w> <w lemma="ste%2Fresqai">στέρεσθαι</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fras">χώρας</w>, <w lemma="ta%2Ffwn">τάφων</w>, <w lemma="i%28erw%3Dn">ἱερῶν</w>, <w lemma="patri%2Fdos">πατρίδος</w>, <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="u%28parxo%2Fntwn">ὑπαρχόντων</w>, <w lemma="a%28pa%2Fntwn">ἁπάντων</w> <w lemma="sullh%2Fbdhn">συλλήβδην</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="a%29nqrw%2Fpois">ἀνθρώποις</w> <w lemma="a%29nagkaiota%2Ftwn">ἀναγκαιοτάτων</w> <w lemma="xa%2Frin">χάριν</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="prodou%3Dnai">προδοῦναι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="summa%2Fxous">συμμάχους</w> <w lemma="pi%2Fstin">πίστιν</w>.
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<w lemma="ou%28%3D">οὗ</w> <w lemma="ti%2F">τί</w> <w lemma="ka%2Fllion">κάλλιον</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Frgon">ἔργον</w> <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="ge%2Fgonen">γέγονεν</w> <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="ge%2Fnoit%27">γένοιτ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fn">ἄν</w>; <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="ti%2F">τί</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="ma%3Dllon">μᾶλλον</w> <w lemma="suggrafeu%5Cs">συγγραφεὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29pisth%2Fsai">ἐπιστήσαι</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29kou%2Fontas">ἀκούοντας</w>; <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="ti%2Fnos">τίνος</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Frgou">ἔργου</w> <w lemma="ma%3Dllon">μᾶλλον</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="parormh%2Fsai">παρορμήσαι</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="fulakh%5Cn">φυλακὴν</w> <w lemma="pi%2Fstews">πίστεως</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="a%29lhqinw%3Dn">ἀληθινῶν</w> <w lemma="pragma%2Ftwn">πραγμάτων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="bebai%2Fwn">βεβαίων</w> <w lemma="koinwni%2Fan">κοινωνίαν</w>; <w lemma="w%28%3Dn">ὧν</w> <w lemma="ou%29demi%2Fan">οὐδεμίαν</w> <w lemma="e%29poih%2Fsato">ἐποιήσατο</w> <w lemma="mnh%2Fmhn">μνήμην</w> <w lemma="%2Afu%2Flarxos">Φύλαρχος</w>,
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<w lemma="tuflw%2Fttwn">τυφλώττων</w>, <w lemma="w%28%2Fs">ὥς</w> <w lemma="g%27">γ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29moi%5C">ἐμοὶ</w> <w lemma="dokei%3D">δοκεῖ</w>, <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="ka%2Fllista">κάλλιστα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ma%2Flista">μάλιστα</w> <w lemma="suggrafei%3D">συγγραφεῖ</w> <w lemma="kaqh%2Fkonta">καθήκοντα</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Frgwn">ἔργων</w>.
<head>The Loyalty of the Megalopolitans</head>There is another illustration of this writer's manner<note anchored="yes" place="marg" id="note131">Megalopolis</note>to be found in his treatment of the cases of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Mantinea&groupId=731&placeId=1339">Mantinea</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Megalopolis&groupId=745&placeId=1360">Megalopolis</a>. The misfortunes of the former he has depicted with his usual exaggeration and picturesqueness: apparently from the notion, that it is the peculiar function of an historian to select for special mention only such actions as are conspicuously bad. But about the noble conduct of the Megalopolitans at that same period he has not said a word: as though it were the province of history to deal with crimes rather than with instances of just and noble conduct; or as though his readers would be less improved by the record of what is great and worthy of imitation, than by that of such deeds as are base and fit only to be avoided. For instance, he has told us clearly enough how Cleomenes took the town, preserved it from damage, and forthwith sent couriers to the Megalopolitans in Messene with a despatch, offering them the safe enjoyment of their country if they would throw in their lot with him;—and his object in telling all this is to enhance the magnanimity and moderation of Cleomenes towards his enemies. Nay, he has gone farther, and told us how the people of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Megalopolis&groupId=745&placeId=1360">Megalopolis</a> would not allow the letter to<pb n="157" />be read to the end, and were not far from stoning the bearers of it. Thus much he does tell us. But the sequel to this, so appropriate to an historian,—the commendation, I mean, and honourable mention of their noble conduct,—this he has altogether left out. And yet he had an opportunity ready to his hand. For if we view with approval the conduct of a people who merely by their declarations and votes support a war in behalf of friends and allies; while to those who go so far as to endure the devastation of their territory, and a siege of their town, we give not only praise but active gratitude: what must be our estimate of the people of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Megalopolis&groupId=745&placeId=1360">Megalopolis</a>? Must it not be of the most exalted character? First of all, they allowed their territory to be at the mercy of Cleomenes, and then consented to be entirely deprived of their city, rather than be false to the league: and, finally, in spite of an unexpected chance of recovering it, they deliberately preferred the loss of their territory, the tombs of their ancestors, their temples, their homes and property, of everything in fact which men value most, to forfeiting their faith to their allies. No nobler action has ever been, or ever will be performed; none to which an historian could better draw his reader's attention. For what could be a higher incentive to good faith, or the maintenance of frank and permanent relations between states? But of all this Phylarchus says not a word, being, as it seems to me, entirely blind as to all that is noblest and best suited to be the theme of an historian.